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Renault-Nissan Alliance Sells Record 8.3 Million Vehicles in 2013

TOKYO -- Giving it fourth spot among global automakers, the Renault-Nissan alliance sold a record 8.3 million vehicles last year, new data showed Wednesday.

Nissan said it sold 5.1 million units globally in 2013, a 3.3% rise from a year ago, while Renault earlier reported that it sold 2.63 million vehicles in 2013.

The group sold a total of 8.3 million vehicles last year, including sales by Russian affiliate AvtoVAZ, putting it behind top three automakers Toyota, General Motors and Volkswagen.

Last week, Toyota said it sold a record 9.98 million vehicles in 2013, its highest-ever annual sales volume, thanks to a weaker yen as well as strong demand in the United States and China.

The Camry sedan and Prius hybrid maker beat GM, which sold 9.71 million cars last year, while Volkswagen logged annual sales of 9.5 million units.

On Wednesday, Toyota said it made more than 10 million vehicles at its plants around the world last year, logging another annual industry record.

The figures come after Japan's Nikkei business daily reported that Nissan and Renault plan to boost their alliance by bringing together production as well as research and development in a bid to save about $3.8 billion annually.

Despite their close links -- Renault is the Japanese automaker's biggest shareholder and they are both chaired by Carlos Ghosn -- the pair have operated largely independently of each other, except on parts procurement and engine development.